I am professor of psychology at St. Mary's College of Maryland. I teach courses about the science of mental experience including perception, cognition, consciousness, research methods, statistics, writing, and more.
I direct the Perception Action Lab where my research students and I study the behaviors and psychological processes related to music, language, data science, and climate change. See my OSF profile including public datasets and project material.
Learn more about my courses and my research by exploring the rest of the site. If you want to join the lab or ask for a letter of recommendation, please read information for students.
Contact me: jtmantell@smcm.edu
Diversity is our strength
The creation and dissemination of knowledge within a free society depends on our commitment to embrace the immeasurable benefits of personal, cultural, and intellectual diversity. Ideas are developed by people and all persons develop sociocultural identities that influence how they understand the world. I commit to use my power and privilege to minimize systemic oppressive forces within the classroom and our society to promote learning for everyone.
A note about office hours (Fall 2026)
Please visit on Wednesday or Thursday, 3:30 – 4:30 pm, or whenever my office door is open, to discuss anything you’d like. You may also send me an email to schedule an in-person or virtual meeting. Welcome!
8/2026 My term as psychology chair is complete. I am now coordinating the Data Science program.
5/2026 I have been promoted to professor.
1/2026 Welcome to the lab: directed research students Crimson Ervin, Julia Gaevsky, and Wesley Smith
9/2025 Welcome to the lab: directed research students Kaylee Holston, Laila Mitchell, and Caroline Holloway
5/2025 Congratulations to graduates and lab alumni Elizabeth Poissant and Raven Davis!
2/2025 My federally funded research has been blacklisted by Senator Ted Cruz for shamelessly promoting science education. I adapted an OSF badge to celebrate my radical educator values.